Understanding gut issues in individuals with Down syndrome
Official title: Defining the Role of Enteric Nervous System Dysfunction in Gastrointestinal Motor and Sensory Abnormalities in Down Syndrome
Funded at University of Colorado Denver · NIH-10655819 · Data updated 2026-11-12
This study is looking at how problems in the gut's nervous system might cause tummy troubles, like constipation, in people with Down syndrome, and it hopes to find ways to help manage these issues better.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | University of Colorado Denver NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Aurora, UNITED STATES) |
| Project start | May 1, 2023 |
| Project end | April 30, 2026 |
| Funding year | 2023 |
| Award (this year) | $2,837,478 |
| NIH project number | 1RF1NS128738-01A1 |
| Project ID | NIH-10655819 on NIH RePORTER |
Who could benefit from this research
✓Could help
Ideal candidates for this research are individuals with Down syndrome who experience gastrointestinal abnormalities.
✕Less likely to help
Patients without Down syndrome or those who do not have gastrointestinal issues may not benefit from this research.
What this research studies
This research investigates how dysfunction in the enteric nervous system may contribute to gastrointestinal problems commonly seen in individuals with Down syndrome. By examining the molecular mechanisms behind these issues, the study aims to clarify how damage to the enteric nervous system leads to conditions like chronic constipation and other motility disorders. The research utilizes a mouse model to explore these connections, which could ultimately inform better clinical management for affected individuals.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this research could lead to improved treatments and management strategies for gastrointestinal disorders in individuals with Down syndrome.
How similar studies have gone: Previous research has indicated that enteric nervous system dysfunction is linked to gastrointestinal issues, suggesting that this approach may yield valuable insights.
Where this research is happening
-
University of Colorado Denver
Aurora, United States Active
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Belkind-Gerson, Jaime — University of Colorado Denver
- Study coordinator: Belkind-Gerson, Jaime
Related research
Other NIH-funded projects on the same topics.
-
Exploring how Down syndrome affects optic nerve health in kids
A study using a mouse model to understand why optic nerve problems are common in children with Down syndrome and how to prevent them.
-
Executive Function Enhancement for Young Children with Down Syndrome
A caregiver-guided program for kids with Down syndrome aged up to 11 to strengthen their thinking skills during early childhood.
-
Silencing an Extra Chromosome to Help Down Syndrome and Related Conditions
A patient-friendly plan to use a gene-based approach to quiet an extra chromosome in cells and a mouse model to reduce disease-related effects in Down syndrome and other chromosomal imbalance disorders.
-
Infant Down Syndrome Brain and Behavior Study
A study of infants with Down syndrome to collect brain imaging and developmental data, creating a large, shared resource to understand how autism and other factors relate to development.
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DS-ARC: Smartphone-based cognitive check for people with Down syndrome at risk for Alzheimer’s
A smartphone-based cognitive test is being developed and tested for people with Down syndrome who may develop Alzheimer’s disease, to track changes quietly in daily life.
-
Immune and NGF factors in Alzheimer’s for adults with Down syndrome
This grant studies why people with Down syndrome develop Alzheimer’s disease by looking at immune signals and nerve growth factor problems.
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page.